Harry Maguire is relishing his return to boyhood club Sheffield United this weekend – and a better reception than he received from Leicester fans.
Maguire, who joined Manchester United from Leicester for £80million last summer, was taunted by Foxes fans when the two sides met at Old Trafford in September, in a game the Reds won 1-0.
But the 26-year-old, the world’s most expensive defender, is looking forward to a friendlier welcome at Bramall Lane than he got from Leicester fans, who turned on him for leaving them.
“I’ll be back at Bramall Lane and I’m sure I’ll get a better reception than I did from the Leicester fans when they came to Old Trafford!” said Maguire, who made 166 appearances for the Blades.
“They’ve been great with me ever since, the Sheffield United fans, so I’ve got a lot to thank them for. The crowd got right on my side [from the start].
(Image: REUTERS)
“Sheffield United have started great in the Premier League but, when we play them, it’s going to be business for me.
“I’ll be trying to get the three points off them but then hope they win every other game, apart from the ones against us.
“I’ve been really lucky to have had a lot of experience in terms of playing games.
“I played 50 games for three or four seasons at Sheffield United, every year.
“That’s something I really love doing. I love playing. For me, the best way to learn is by playing games.
“I’ve been fortunate, in terms of the managers I’ve played for, that they’ve all picked me to start, especially in my younger days, when it’s harder as a young centre-back to get your chance to go and play.”
Maguire recalled a classy gesture from his new club when he was knocked unconscious playing for the Blades at Old Trafford in 2011.
The incident happened in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final, when Maguire was involved in a collision with United striker Ravel Morrison, which saw him taken off on a stretcher.
“It was just after half-time when it happened. I had a clash of heads with Ravel and actually got knocked out,“ Maguire told Inside United.
“It was the only time I’ve been knocked out in my career, touch wood. It was a nasty blow and I was in hospital overnight.
“Obviously it was disappointing to go off and not see the end of the game, when the medals and the trophy were presented.
“But then someone got in touch from Manchester United and checked I was okay.
“They sent me a Manchester United shirt, and just said: ‘Good luck for the future, you’re a good, promising young player, keep your head down and so on.’
“It was a nice touch from the club and just shows what a classy club United is.”
United go into Sunday’s clash in seventh place, two spots and a point below Chris Wilder’s side, who have taken the Premier League by storm in their first season back in the top flight.
